Warning over 'extremely high' South West wildfire risk
Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue ServicePeople in the South West are being reminded never to light a fire or barbecue in forests or woodlands, as the third heat wave this summer creates "extremely high-risk conditions".
The wildfire risk has been raised to red this weekend, with Forestry England saying the hot, dry start to summer had made it easy for fires to ignite and get out of control.
An amber heat health alert was issued for the South West earlier this week until 21:00 on Sunday. Forestry England said the Met Office had issued the extreme wildfire alert alongside it.
Forestry England area manager Katy Mansell says forest fires "put lives at risk, destroy habitats, kill wildlife and put our emergency services in harm's way".
She said: "While hot, sunny weather feels like the perfect time to get together with friends and family in nature, I can't overstate the danger of lighting BBQs and fires in the countryside.
"Each time we manage to safely extinguish a forest fire, we feel very thankful that the outcome wasn't a very different story."
'Careless actions'
Forestry England said fires could travel at huge speed above ground and through soil - caused by cigarette butts or disposable barbecues.
It said Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service had already attended forest fires caused by "careless actions" this summer, and had attended 51 incidents in woods and forests in 2025 with many caused by "human carelessness".
Mansell said it was "incredibly sad" that many fires caused could have been "entirely prevented by treating the countryside more responsibly".
She said: "It will take decades to make up for one moment of carelessness.
"Our plea to you is very simple: help us care for the countryside by never lighting a fire or BBQ in the forest."
The agency said people could prevent wildfires by taking their litter home, never lighting a fire or barbecue in the countryside, and advised not to tackle fires themselves but to call 999 and get to safety.
